Murphy still tormenting his former team (Nats win 8-1)

It certainly did not take long for the Mets to score a run off of Nationals right-hander Mat Latos.

Jose Reyes doubled to right field to lead off the game and went to third on a groundout. He scored on a Yoenis Cespedes sacrifice fly for a 1-0 Mets lead.

The Nationals looked to get in right back in the bottom of the first facing right-hander Rafael Montero. Trea Turner reached on an infield single and stole second and Jayson Werth walked.

Daniel Murphy singled to load the bases. With that single, Murphy has had at least one hit in all 17 meetings against the Mets this season, tying a major league record against New York, according to Elias Sports Bureau.

Bryce Harper walked, forcing in a run to tie the game. After Anthony Rendon struck out, Montero walked in another run as Wilson Ramos earned a bases-loaded free pass.

The Nationals lead the Mets 2-1 after one inning.

Update: The Nationals chased Montero in the second. Latos led off with a solo shot over the left field wall, the fourth homer of his career. Two of those homers have come at Nats Park, the last one here was 2010 as a member of the Padres.

Rendon hit a three-run shot, his 18th homer of the season. Murphy had a double that scored in front of Rendon. Montero left after 1 2/3 innings, allowing six runs on five hits with four walks (one intentional) and two strikeouts.

After two innings, the Nationals lead the Mets 6-1.

Update II: Facing Mets reliever Gabriel Ynoa, Ramos and Ryan Zimmerman added run-scoring singles to extend the Nationals' lead to 8-1 after four innings.

Danny Espinosa was hit by pitch in the fourth. Espinosa is the 20th different player in major league history to have been hit 20 times and had 20 homers in the same season. He is the first switch-hitter to have reached that plateau.

Update III: Latos left in the fifth inning with what appeared to be a leg cramp. He finished 4 1/3 innings, allowing one run on three hits, with three walks and four strikeouts. He threw 68 pitches, 43 for strikes. This is not good news for an already beleaguered Nationals starting staff. Hopefully it is just a leg cramp and nothing more serious. We will get an update in post game.

In the fifth inning, the Nationals remain on top with the big lead 8-1.

Update IV: Reynaldo Lopez came out of the bullpen and threw three scoreless innings in relief for the victory (3-3). He allowed no runs and no hits with two walks.

Final score: Nationals 8, Mets 1.

The Nationals lead the Mets by 10 games in the East.